Numismatic definitions
Like most fields of expertise, numismatics has its own lingo. Find the numismatic definition of a term by entering it in the field below.
Silver
Precious metal, chemical symbol Ag, numismatic abbreviation Ar, from Latin Argentum, used as a coinage metal from the sixth century BC to the present day. Sterling silver denotes an alloy of .925 fine silver with .075 copper and was the traditional alloy of English coins from Anglo-Saxon times. In Britain, as a consequence of the Great War (1914-18), the coinage was reduced to 50% silver. Subequently, following the Second World War, silver was almost entirely abandoned. It remains in use today only for Maundy Money - distributed by Her Majesty each Easter - and special Collector Coins available directly from the Coin Club.
